[The following is from the NCCd web site, under "About New City."]
the Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13).
the Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
the Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1, 2, 14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3, 5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1, 2). We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).
the Person and Work of The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8, 11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).
the Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:22, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18, 19).
Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37, 40; 10:27, 30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4, 8; 1 Peter 1:5). We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God' s Word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Romans 13:13, 14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11, 15).
the Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer' s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7, 8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1, 8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11).
the Church
We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14; 2 Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1, 3; Titus 1:5, 11). We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1, 4; 15:19, 31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1, 4). We recognize believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23, 26).
About Alcohol Consumption
First, we believe that all drunkenness is a sin (Deuteronomy 21:20; Ecclesiastes 10:17; Matthew 24:29; Luke 12:45; 21:34; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:10; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3).
Secondly, we believe that many horrendous sins are affiliated with drunkenness. Therefore, getting drunk is a sin that can lead to other sins, such as incest (Genesis 19:32? 35), violence (Proverbs 4:17), adultery (Revelation 17:2), mockery and brawling (Proverbs 20:1), poverty (Proverbs 21:17), late night and early morning drinking (Isaiah 5:11? 12), hallucinations (Isaiah 28:7), foolish behavior (Isaiah 5:22; Jeremiah 51:39), murder (2 Samuel 11:13), vomiting (Jeremiah 25:27; 48:26; Isaiah 19:14), staggering (Jeremiah 25:27; Psalm 107:27; Job 12:25), madness (Jeremiah 51:7), shameful nakedness (Habakkuk 2:15; Lamentations 4:21), sloth (Joel 1:5), escapism (Hosea 4:11), and depression (Luke 21:34). In summary, sin leads to death and the sin of drunkenness produces only death and misery.
Thirdly, we believe that Christian leaders are to live their lives in such a way as to set a positive example of holiness for others to emulate (Hebrews 13:7). This includes elders, the male senior leaders in the church, who are not to be drunkards (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).
Fourthly, we do believe that all Christians must at varying times and in varying ways give up some of their Christian liberties in order to love people of weaker conscience. Christians must make every effort to not lead them into sin by exercising freedoms in their presence (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31? 32).
An Overview of "What We Believe"
Since I am an engineer, it is natural for me to analyze things (I am frequently criticized for over-analyzing things, but bear with me).
The first thing that I noticed when I began to write this article is that "What We Believe" has been changed from the original version, in that the section entitled "About Alcohol Consumption" has been added. Strictly speaking, while this section is appropriate as a part of "What We Believe," it isn't really a proper part of a statement of faith. This is typical, however; a common pattern for a statement of faith is to address the core theology of the church, including its beliefs concerning the Scripture, the Trinity, Creation, the Fall, Jesus Christ, Salvation, the Church, and Last Things, and then add the church's position on some social issue of concern.
"What We Believe" is silent on several issues that are typically found in a statement of faith. It makes no mention of Creation, for example; the section on the Godhead doesn't even state that God is the Creator. There is no discussion of God the Father, only a brief mention in the Godhead, although there are separate sections on the Person and Work of Christ and the Person and Work of The Holy Spirit. Finally, the discussion of Last Things (eschatology) is limited to the statement, "We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead." There is no mention of heaven and hell. Thus, "What We Believe" represents an incomplete Christian theology.
"What We Believe" states, "We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control." This is the Congregational or Baptist model of the church, as contrasted with the hierarchal model used by the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian/Anglican, United Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.
Next, "What We Believe" explicitly asserts the total depravity of man and eternal security of believers ("perserverance of the saints"). These are the first and last points of the Five Points of Calvinism, as represented by the acronym TULIP, for Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. This is an implicit rejection of the Wesleyan-Arminian theology that is at the core of Methodist, Wesleyan, Church of the Nazarene, and Salvation Army beliefs (yes, the Salvation Army has its own Statement of Faith). "What We Believe" is silent on the other three points, however, so it is compatible with both "High Calvinism", which embraces all five points, and "Low Calvinsim", which embraces the first and last points but explicitly rejects the middle three. Presbyterians, Primitive Baptists, and Reformed Baptists are all High Calvinists. "Free will" Baptists are Low Calvinists; most modern independent Baptists and Southern Baptists are Low Calvinists; however, the Southern Baptist "Faith and Message," their statement of faith, is also compatible with either High or Low Calvinism.
Finally, the section "About Alcohol Consumption" never states a position as to whether all alcohol consumption is sinful or whether alcohol consumption in moderation may be acceptable in some circumstances.
the Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13).
the Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
the Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1, 2, 14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3, 5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1, 2). We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).
the Person and Work of The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8, 11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18).
the Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:22, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18, 19).
Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37, 40; 10:27, 30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4, 8; 1 Peter 1:5). We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God' s Word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Romans 13:13, 14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11, 15).
the Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer' s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7, 8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him (Romans 12:1, 8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11).
the Church
We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14; 2 Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1, 3; Titus 1:5, 11). We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1, 4; 15:19, 31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1, 4). We recognize believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23, 26).
About Alcohol Consumption
First, we believe that all drunkenness is a sin (Deuteronomy 21:20; Ecclesiastes 10:17; Matthew 24:29; Luke 12:45; 21:34; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:10; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3).
Secondly, we believe that many horrendous sins are affiliated with drunkenness. Therefore, getting drunk is a sin that can lead to other sins, such as incest (Genesis 19:32? 35), violence (Proverbs 4:17), adultery (Revelation 17:2), mockery and brawling (Proverbs 20:1), poverty (Proverbs 21:17), late night and early morning drinking (Isaiah 5:11? 12), hallucinations (Isaiah 28:7), foolish behavior (Isaiah 5:22; Jeremiah 51:39), murder (2 Samuel 11:13), vomiting (Jeremiah 25:27; 48:26; Isaiah 19:14), staggering (Jeremiah 25:27; Psalm 107:27; Job 12:25), madness (Jeremiah 51:7), shameful nakedness (Habakkuk 2:15; Lamentations 4:21), sloth (Joel 1:5), escapism (Hosea 4:11), and depression (Luke 21:34). In summary, sin leads to death and the sin of drunkenness produces only death and misery.
Thirdly, we believe that Christian leaders are to live their lives in such a way as to set a positive example of holiness for others to emulate (Hebrews 13:7). This includes elders, the male senior leaders in the church, who are not to be drunkards (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).
Fourthly, we do believe that all Christians must at varying times and in varying ways give up some of their Christian liberties in order to love people of weaker conscience. Christians must make every effort to not lead them into sin by exercising freedoms in their presence (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31? 32).
An Overview of "What We Believe"
Since I am an engineer, it is natural for me to analyze things (I am frequently criticized for over-analyzing things, but bear with me).
The first thing that I noticed when I began to write this article is that "What We Believe" has been changed from the original version, in that the section entitled "About Alcohol Consumption" has been added. Strictly speaking, while this section is appropriate as a part of "What We Believe," it isn't really a proper part of a statement of faith. This is typical, however; a common pattern for a statement of faith is to address the core theology of the church, including its beliefs concerning the Scripture, the Trinity, Creation, the Fall, Jesus Christ, Salvation, the Church, and Last Things, and then add the church's position on some social issue of concern.
"What We Believe" is silent on several issues that are typically found in a statement of faith. It makes no mention of Creation, for example; the section on the Godhead doesn't even state that God is the Creator. There is no discussion of God the Father, only a brief mention in the Godhead, although there are separate sections on the Person and Work of Christ and the Person and Work of The Holy Spirit. Finally, the discussion of Last Things (eschatology) is limited to the statement, "We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead." There is no mention of heaven and hell. Thus, "What We Believe" represents an incomplete Christian theology.
"What We Believe" states, "We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control." This is the Congregational or Baptist model of the church, as contrasted with the hierarchal model used by the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian/Anglican, United Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.
Next, "What We Believe" explicitly asserts the total depravity of man and eternal security of believers ("perserverance of the saints"). These are the first and last points of the Five Points of Calvinism, as represented by the acronym TULIP, for Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. This is an implicit rejection of the Wesleyan-Arminian theology that is at the core of Methodist, Wesleyan, Church of the Nazarene, and Salvation Army beliefs (yes, the Salvation Army has its own Statement of Faith). "What We Believe" is silent on the other three points, however, so it is compatible with both "High Calvinism", which embraces all five points, and "Low Calvinsim", which embraces the first and last points but explicitly rejects the middle three. Presbyterians, Primitive Baptists, and Reformed Baptists are all High Calvinists. "Free will" Baptists are Low Calvinists; most modern independent Baptists and Southern Baptists are Low Calvinists; however, the Southern Baptist "Faith and Message," their statement of faith, is also compatible with either High or Low Calvinism.
Finally, the section "About Alcohol Consumption" never states a position as to whether all alcohol consumption is sinful or whether alcohol consumption in moderation may be acceptable in some circumstances.
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